Centrifugal ore-separator.



No. 802,726. PATENTED OCT. 24, 1905. P. H. ADAMS.

GENTRIFUGAL ORE SEPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEOJZ, 1904.

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W b Mame/ No. 802,726. PATENTED 001. 24, 1905. 1 H. ADAMS. CENTRIFUGAL ORE SEPARATOR. APPLICATION FILED 1030.12, 1904.

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PHINEAS H. ADAMS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGI MENTS, TO TITLE OWNERS COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

CENTRIFUGAL ORE-SEPARATOP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24:, 1905.

Application filed December 12, 1904. Serial No- 286,536.

To ctZZ mil/0777, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PHINEAS H. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at No. 2884 South Forty-seventh Court, Chicago, Illinois, (whose business address is N o. 911 North Kedzie avenue, Chicago, Illinois,) have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Ore-Separators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates more particularly to centrifugal separators for separation of ores or similar materials of different degrees of specific gravity while in a pulverized state and mixed with water and of the class having an outer rotatable portion or treatment vessel with a separating surface or area on its inner wall and a differentially-rotatable longitudinally-movable inner portion, core, or deflector, the two together forming a separating channel or passage variable in size during operation; and my invention consists in the features and details of construction and combinations and relative assemblage of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is largely a vertical longitudinal central section of my improved separator, showing, however, the deflector and some other of the parts in elevation and the deflector moved to the extreme feed end of the treatment vessel. Fig. 2 is principally a plan of a detail of the righthand end of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail showing the treatment vessel and some other parts in longitudinal central section and the deflector in elevation, the latter moved in position to the extreme discharge end of the vessol. Fig. 4t is a cross-section of Fig. 3 on line 3 3.

In making my improved centrifugal orescparator I employ a base a, preferably of metal, of proper size and strength to satisfactorily receive and sustain the parts to be mounted on it, and upon said base I provide suitable stands or brackets 6, having journalboxes 0 imposed on their upper portions. In these journal-boxes rotatably mounted in a manner to be traveled longitudinally or lengthwise I provide a suitable shaft 0, as illustrated, of suflicient length to extend through the boxes far enough to permit of traveling it longitudinally the extent or distance desired, and at one end of the shaft I provide ordinary corrugations which engage corresponding corrugations c in the travelable journal-box f, which corrugations are shown in dotted lines in said box, and the box is mounted on a longitudinally-movable base Fig. 1, located in suitable ways it on the extended portion of the stand 6. This base, with its superimposed box, may be traveled lengthwise by means of the attached depending internally-threaded nut j, engaging the horizontal correspondingly-threaded rod 7'1, which is journaled and maintained at Z in the stand, as illustrated. The outer end of the rod 7:; is not threaded and extends out beyond the bracket somewhat, and on this end is rigidly mounted a worm-wheel m, engaging a worm a, which is securely fixed to the shaft 0, which shaft is rotatably mounted in the boxes p, carried on the upper part of the brackets g, which are secured to the baseplate of the separator.

To one end of shaft 0 is secured a bevel gear-wheel 9", meshing with a bevel gear-wheel 8, carried on the shaft t, which shaft is also mounted in boxes on brackets a, secured to the base-plate of the separator. On the shaft t I provide loose pulleys n n, which may be rotated in opposite directions by suitable belts. (Not shown.) I also provide a suitable clutch w, which is rigidly secured to the shaft if in position to be brought into engagement with either of said pulleys by means of the lever 00, so that the shaft 25 may be revolved in either direction, depending on which pulley is into engagement with the clutch. By this arrangement it will be seen that the threaded rod 7r: may be revolved in either direction, and by its engagement with the nut j the journal-boxy may be drawn in either direction desired, moving or traveling with it the shaft a in a corresponding manner. T e shaft may be revolved by operating a belt around its rigidly-mounted pulley 1 I also provide a rotatable treatment vessel which is preferably tapering in form from its small or feed end to its discharge zone, hereinafter described, with comparatively thin walls like a tapering tube or shell, as illustrated. I. also provide a somewhat raised surface 3 around its outer diameter, suitable for a driving-belt to pass around for imparting revolution. The treatment vessel is provided with heads or ends 4 and 5, which have central hollow hubs 4 and 5, respectively, rotatably surrounding the shaft 6, and which serve as supports and journal-boxes for the treatment vessel. These hubs contact at their outer ends against the boxes 0 to prevent endwise movement of the vessel.

Preferably at the large end of the tapering portion of the treatment vessel is provided a hollow or recessed enlargement 6, which is preferably located a distance from the large or discharge end of the vessel substantially as great as the distance of long tudinal travel of the deflector, hereinafter described, and the vessel throughout this distance is preferably made but slightly greater in diameter than the diameter of the large end of the deflector, and with its walls here preferably made substantially parallel with its axis of rotation. Around the enlargement 6 is provided a row of discharge-openings 7, communicating into the vesse. for discharge of water and material. The recess in the enlargement assists in guiding material to the discharge-openings, and I will therefore con sider and term this part or the dischargeopenings and their near surroundings in the vessel as a discharge zone.

On the head of the small or feed end of the treatment vessel there is provided a suitable annular feed-chamber 8, communicating with the preferably spiral feed-channels 9, adapted to receive material mixed with water for treatment and conduct and deliver it through the feed-openings 10 into the treatment vessel at or near the feed end of the separating-surface, which will be hereinafter explained. These feed-openings are preferably located a distance from the small or feed end of the vessel substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, and while they are termed feedppenings I do not mean to imply that they are necessarily openings out through the wall of the vessel. They are, ho'vever, openings or delivery-points from which material and water is flowed out into the vessel. p

The inner wall of the treatment vessel from its small or feed end to its discharge zone is preferably made smooth, and that part of said wall extending substantially from the feedopenings 10 to the discharge zone serves as a concentrating or separating surface 11. This surface is tapering, as is the wall of the vessel, which form is as illustrated in the drawings.

To introduce water and material into the feed-chamber 8, a suitable pipe or feed-conduit 12 is provided, as illustrated.

The discharge-openings 7, provided around the circumference of the enlargement 6, are sufficiently contracted to insure that a body or accumulation of water will be retained in the treatment vessel during concentration or separation. These discharge-openings are preferably formed through a series of removable nipples 13.

Located around the circumference of the enlargement of the vessel is a suitably-shaped hollow, preferably metal trough or launder 1 L, having an annular opening in position in radial alinement with the discharge-openings to receive discharged material and water as they are thrown out or discharged from the treatment vessel by the action of centrifugal force. The lower side of this launder is provided with an opening for the flow of material from it.

Vithin the treatment vessel and mounted rigidly on the shaft 0 I provide a core 15, which 1 will term a deflector, which has been hereinbefore referred to. This deflector is of external shape to substantially conform to the shape of the tapering part of the inner wall or separating-surface of the vessel. It is made of external diameter somewhat less than the internal diameter of the treatment vessel when the deflector is in position near the small end of the vessel, so that at such time there is a comparatively small annular channel or space 16 between the deflector and vessel throughout the area of the separating-surface, which channel or space serves as a concentrating or separating channel or passage. The deflector serves as means for deflecting and guiding the material and water entering the feed-openings to be treated along near the separating-surface and in causing a scouring washing-current of water to effect separation.

The deflector is preferably long enough to extend from the small end of the vessel the entire length of the separating-surface and to the discharge zone and somewhat overlap the row of discharge-openings, so that it at all times covers the feed and discharge openings of the vessel, although still being enough shorter than the treatment vessel to permit of the desired longitudinal travel of the deflector.

From the fact that both the treatment vessel and the deflector are cone-shaped or tapering in form the concentrating or separating channel or passage is enlarged or deepened by the relative lengthwise movement or withdrawal of the deflector toward the large end of the treatment vessel, which condition is illustrated in Fig. 3, and, on the contrary, said channel or passage is contracted or decreased in depth by a movement of the deflector toward the small end of the treatment vessel. This tapering shape serves a valuable purpose of necessarily enlarging the separating-channel as concentrates gradually accumulate in it while separation is being effected, and periodically contracting the channel again while such accumulation of concentrates is being discharged.

To permit the relative lengths and positions of the separating-surface and the deflector to be such that the deflector will at all times fully cover the separating-surface and also reach or cover over the feed and discharge openings and yet permit of the desired travel of the deflector, the ends of the treatment vessel are extended beyond the ends of the 802,726 &

separating-surface, as illustrated and hereina layer in the separating-channel, while the above explained, so that there is room or waste portions are forced and flowed through space beyond the feed and discharge open the separating-channcl to discharge.

ings for the respective ends of the deflector After the deflector has been moved or withto reciprocate in as the deflector is traveled drawn fully to the large end of the vessel and longitudinally. This arrangement is importhe separating-ehaimel has thereby been fully tant, because it leaves no space in the path enlarged the feed of material for separation is of flow or travel of the material between its temporarily discontinued and clean water iningress or feed openings and egress or distroduced through the same channels as was [0 charge openings, where on the separatingthe material previously and the deflector is surface such material will be out of the zone traveled to its initial position, during which of separating influence of the deflector, and time the concentrates lodged in the separatthere is no space between said points unconing-channel are washed out and discharged trolled by the deflector, in consequence of from the treatment vessel. To facilitate the [5 which waste material cannot heap up in the removal of the concentrates, the speed of rotreatment vessel. It follows that there is no tation of the vessel during that time is deineffective concentrating-space on the sepacreased and is again increased to the desired rating surface. To best enable this lastspeed before the recommencement of separanamed condition, the extension at the feed end tion or'treatment.

20 should be made tapering, as is the separating- In using the terms feed-channels and surface. The recessed enlargement 6 should feed-openings and dischargeopenings be employed near the discharge. end of the in the specification and claims I do not mean separating-surface, and the diameter of the to confine myself to the use of a plurality vessel beyond said enlargement should be thereof, but desire it understood by such 25 made to enable the'end of the deflector to enterms that I mean one or more, as the cir- 9o ter freely, but with small diametrical clearcumstances or conditions may warrant or as ance. may be desired.

A further important advantage that is en hat I regard as new, and desire to secure abled by the construction herein presented is by Letters Patent, is 0 the fact that a treatment vessel may be made 1. 1n a centrifugal ore-separator, the com- 9 5 and practically operated with a less degree of bination of a rotatable tapering treatment vestaper, notwithstanding this will necessitate a sel having a separating-Snrface therein, and greater distance of travel of the deflector to' provided with discharge-openings for matesecure the required enlargement of the separial and water, a rotatable longitudinally- 3 5 rating-channel. Theless proportionate taper travelable deflector within the vessel, and affords more nearly uniform centrifugal force means for feeding material and water into the and relative washing force throughout the vessel a distance from its small end substanlength of the separating-surface, because the tially as great as the distance of longitudinal diameters of the respective ends of the vestravel of the deflector, said deflector of suffl- 4o sel and deflector are nearer the same, and concient length and adapted to at all times cover sequently the separating forces are more the points of said. feed of material and-.water nearly uniform and better relatively balanced, into the vessel, and operate to effect separaenabling betterpractical results. tion on said surface.

In the operation of the separator the tie 2. In a centrifugal ore-scparator, the com- 5 flector is moved in position nearest the small bination of a rotatable taperingtreatment vesno end of the treatment vessel, thus contracting sel, and a longitudinally-travelablc deflector the separating-channel to its smallest extent. therein, means for feeding material and water The treatment vessel is revolved at a desired into the vessel a distance from its feed end rate of speed, and the deflector is also resubstantially as great as the distance of len- 50 volvcd, but at a sufliciently differential rate gitudinal travel of the deflector, and the vesof speed to effect the separation desired. sel provided with discharge-openings at its While the separator is being operated under discharge zone located a distance from its such conditions,finely-pulverizedoresorsimidischarge end substantially as great as the lar material to be treated mixed with a dedistance of longitudinal travel of the de- 55 sired amount of water to enable it to flow flector, said deflector of sufficient length and freely and facilitate separation is fed into the adapted to at all times cover the said feedtreatment vessel through the feed-chamber openings and extend to the discharge zone of and the spiral channels and feed-openings, and the vessel. at the same time the deflector by the mech 3. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the com- 60 anism hereinabove described is gradually bination of a rotatable tapering treatment ves- I2 5 traveled toward the large end of the treatsel, and a rotatable longitudinally-travelable ment vessel, thereby gradually enlarging the deflector therein. means for feeding material separating-channel, and the heavier or more and water into the vessel a distance from its valuable portions of the material being treatsmall end substantially as great as the dis- 6 5 ed lodge during this time and accumulate in tance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, 3

and the vessel provided with discharge-openings located a distance from its discharge end substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, and the deflector of length to at all times during operation substantially cover the points of feed to the vessel and the discharge-openings therefrom.

4. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable tapering treatment vessel, and a longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, said vessel provided with a separating-surface and having feed-channels and discharge-openings communicating with it at distances from their respective ends of the vessel, substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, said deflector of suflicient length and adapted to at all times fully cover the separating-surface and extend over both the said feed-channels and discharge-openings.

5. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable tapering treatment vessel, and a rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, said vessel provided with a separating-surface and having feed-channels, and discharge-openings communicating to it at distances from their respective ends of the vessel, substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, and the deflector havinga length greater than the distance between the points of communication of said channels to the vessel and the said discharge-openings, SUflIlClGHt to cause the said deflector to fully cover the separating-surface at all times.

6. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel and a diiferentially-rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, said vessel having tapering inner circumferential walls from its small end substantially to its discharge zone, and having substantially straight or parallel walls from said discharge zone, for a distance substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, and provided with feed-channels communicating to it a distance from its feed end, substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, said deflector of sufficient length and adapted to at all times cover the points of communication of said feed-channels and extend to said discharge zone.

7 In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a treatment vessel rotatably journaled around a central shaft, and a differentially-rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, said vessel having its inner circumferential walls tapering from its feed end substantially to its discharge zone, and with substantially straight or parallel walls from said discharge zone for a distance approximately as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, and said vessel provided with feed-channels communicating to it a distance from its feed end substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, and also having a separatingsurface between the points of communication of said feed-channels and the discharge zone, said deflector of sufficient length and adapted to at all times cover said points of communication of the feed-channels and extend over the separating-surface to the discharge zone.

8. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel and a rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, said vessel provided with a feedchamber at its feed end, and with feed-channels leading from said chamber, communicating with the vessel a distance from its feed end, substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, the said deflector of suflflcient length and adapted to at all times fully cover said separating-surface.

9. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel, and a rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, said vessel having a separating-surface, and provided with a feed-chamber atits small end, and with spirally-inclined feedchannels communicating with the vessel, a distance from the feed end substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, said deflector of sufiicient length and adapted to at all times extend fully over the separating-surface.

10. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel, and a rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, said vessel provided with a feedchamber at its feed end, and feed-channels leading from said chamber, having feed-openings into the vessel, said openings located a distance from the feed end of the vessel substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, and the vessel having a taperingseparating-surface extending therein substantially from said feed-openings to the discharge zone of the vessel and the deflector of suflicient length and adapted to at all times fully cover the separating-surface.

11. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable treatment vessel, and a rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, said vessel provided with a feedchamber at its feed end, communicating with covered feed-channels extending along the wall of the vessel and having feed-openings into the latter a distance from the feed end of the vessel substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, the said vessel provided with a tapering separatingsurface on its interior extending substantially from said feed-openings to the discharge zone of the vessel, and the deflector of sufflcient length and adapted to at all times cover the said feed-openings during operation.

12. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a treatment vessel rotatably journaled around a central shaft, and a rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, said vessel provided With a feed-chamber at its small end, communicating With feed-channels having feed-openings into the vessel substantially as great a distance from the feed end of the vessel as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, and having dischargeopenings from an enlargement of the vessel, a distance from the discharge end of said vessel substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, said vessel provided with a taperingseparating-Snrface extending substantially from the feed-openings to the enlargement at the dischargeopenings, and the deflector of length to at all times cover the said feed-openings and discharge-openings.

13. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a treatment vessel tapering on its inner circumferential Walls from its feed end to its discharge zone, and rotatably journaled around a deflector-shaft, and a rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, of shape to substantially conform to the shape of the said inner circumferential Walls of the tapering part of the vessel, said vessel provided at its small end With a feed-chamber communicating With feed channels having feed-openings into the vessel, said openings located a distance from the feed end of the vessel substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, an enlargement in the Wall of the vessel, a distance from its large end substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector and with discharge-openings from said enlargement, the vessel provided \vitha tapering separatingsurface extending substantially from said feed-openings to said enlargement and provided With substantially parallel inner Walls from said enlargement toward the discharge end, and the deflector of length to at all times cover the feed and discharge openings.

M. In a centrifugal ore-separator, the combination of a rotatable tapering treatment vessel and a rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, means for feeding material and water into the vessel a distance from its small end substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, the vessel provided With dischargepassages located at the discharge zone a distance from its discharge end substantially as great as the distance of longitudinal travel of the deflector, and the said vessel having its end extended beyond the said places of feed and discharge of material, of size and form adapted to receive the respective ends of the deflector in their longitudinal reciprocation, and the deflector of suflicient length and adapted to at all times cover the point of feed of material and Water into the vessel, and extend to the discharge zone of said vessel.

15. In a centrifugal ore'separator, the combination of a rotatable tapering treatment vessel, and a rotatable longitudinally-travelable deflector therein, said vessel provided with a scparating-surface, and having feedop'enings and discharge-openings near the respective ends of said separating-surface, the said vessel having its ends extended beyond the said openings and adapted to receive the respective ends of the deflector in their longitudinal reciprocations, and the said deflector of suflicient length and adapted to at all times fully cover the separating-surface.

PHINEAS H. ADAMS. Witnesses:

WV. E. ADAMS,- O. T. X. ADAMS. 

